When the regular school bell rings at the end of the day, it's hangout time for the two.

Monday, as they waited in line to go outside, they were reviewing the illustrated book "Percy Jackson & the Olympians/The Ultimate Guide."

Both found positives in the after-school program.

"It's kinda sports-like," 9-year-old Sean said. "Sometimes we play basketball, sometimes it's kickball. It's a special time. We also just like to read books."

Andrue, who said the two friends bicker at times but always make up, was enjoying the reunion after the long holiday break.

"Well, we just don't see each other sometimes. He lives far from me," Andrue said. "But this week, we saw each other at Dollar General. I like this (program), because me and Scott can hang out and talk about books."

At Tyler, five adults, three of them new, were in full control of the 80 or so students who filed into the school's gymnasium at 1:45 p.m.

The students sat at cafeteria tables, chatting amiably.

At just the right moment, 28-year-old Corena Aguilar clapped her hands and in a quiet but firm voice said, "Welcome back. There have been a lot of changes, but we know you will work well with them. I'm looking for the quietest group to start snacks."

With that, the gym fell silent. Aguilar, who has worked for both the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA, had the students in the palm of her hand.

It was her first visit to the Tyler campus, and Principal Henry Phillips was impressed.

"My main concern was how the kids would react to a new person" Phillips said. "I am impressed with the 'Y' staff. I was ready to step in, but she took control with her quiet voice."

Phillips easily discussed the value of the program, which includes snacks, physical activity, tutoring, reading, games and - just as important - structure and stability.

He cited two fundamental benefits of the program:

» Academic achievement: "We've been banging our head against the wall on how to improve student achievement. This gives them time in a smaller setting with students at their level. That's just tremendous support to the kids. They get 150 or so days of an extra hour. That's 150 hours a year - and might move some students up a grade level in math or reading."

» A place to go: "Some of these kids, if they went home, would be latchkey. But instead, they are with us in a stable environment. There is so much enrichment that is going on. We had a Hmong dance group, and only one or two kids were actually Hmong."

"It's all about kids," Lowder said. "If it wasn't so important, we wouldn't be so concerned about it. We have a lot of families working who have no provision for their children.

"This gives them extended learning time and an opportunity to be more successful in class and to improve socialization."

Switching to a YMCA-run program became necessary late last year when the national Boys & Girl Club revoked the local club's charter following a series of controversies swirling around Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva, a former president of the club.

While the 12 school sites were making the transition, the facility on Olympic Drive - formerly the Boys & Girls Club and under consideration for a name change to "Kids Club of Stockton" - was open Monday.

A small group of young people and adults was going through routine activities inside the building, which still bears a sign proclaiming it the "Boys and Girls Club of Stockton, Inc."

Channel 13 on Monday reported that former employees of the Boys & Girls Club of Stockton were "forced" to sign letters of resignation to get their final paychecks.

The TV station said that a labor law attorney believed the move was probably intended to prevent the former employees from receiving unemployment benefits.

Back at Tyler, a group of seventh- and eighth-grade girls giggled at one of the cafeteria tables before it was their turn to receive snacks.

"I like homework time and when you can go outside for sports," said Mya Johnson, a 13-year-old. "These are really good friends of mine."

Added Melisa Jones, also 13 and one of those good friends: "When you think about it, this program really does help you improve your grades - and you get to play. It's fun here."